Jade laughed. “A bath? Cats hate baths.” She sat next to him. Dorito moved from one to the other to get some love.
“Not this cat. He lies in the water like he’s floating in the ocean in Hawaii. He’s such a weirdo.” To Jade’s surprise, Nate patted Dorito affectionately.
“I think he likes it here,” Jade said.
Nate gave Dorito another pat then put him on the floor. “He better not get too used to it, because I need to find him a new home soon.”
The cat stretched and made his way to the corner of the living room and fell asleep on a bed Nate must have bought for him.
“I’ll take him,” she said.
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to.” She’d have something to remember Nate. Even if it was a weirdo cat.
“That would be great.”
After Jade could no longer use the distraction of Dorito to avoid what happened in Toby’s office, she said, “You can’t get rid of your disguise.”
“Why not? I’ve caused you so much trouble. Christ, it’s even cost you your job.” He ran jerky fingers through his hair.
“I could do with some time off. Those kids can be draining.” She tried to joke, but judging by his stern expression, it fell flat. She grabbed his hand. “It won’t come to that. I’ll have some time off, this will blow over, and I’ll be able to go back to work and all will be forgotten.” At least she hoped so.
He shook his head. “You’re the one copping it all when this is my fault. If I let the world know about my disguise, no one will bother you again. I’ll be hot news for the next few days and the attention taken off you.”
“You’ve worked too hard to throw away your disguise. Think of why you did it in the first place. The anonymity allows you to have a normal life off the stage. Can you really deal with people following you around twenty-four-seven? Trust me, I’ve had a small taste and its crappy. I don’t know how celebrities do it on a daily basis. No wonder they turn to drugs and alcohol.” She gasped and covered her mouth. “Oh God, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so insensitive. I wasn’t talking about your parents.”
He tugged her arm to bring her closer, then lifted her so he could cradle her on his lap. “My parents thrived on the attention. The drugs and alcohol were a perk for them. It flowed freely at their parties until it eventually killed them. It’s a big part of that world. One I never wanted to be involved in.”
Wrapping her arm around his shoulders, she said, “And that’s why you need to keep your disguise so you don’t fall into the same trap.”
He chuckled. “I’m old enough to know not to get messed up like that. If it was ten or more years ago, who knows? It could’ve been me shaving my head and beating a car with an umbrella.”
“Oh, you think you’d go full Britney, do you?” She smirked.
He chuckled. “Hmm, maybe not.”
Running her fingers through his dark sandy hair, she gently tugged it. “Good. It would be a shame to cut this off.” And then with more seriousness, she added, “And it would be a shame for you to throw away everything you’ve worked hard for. What if the truth coming out put the band in jeopardy?”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Your fans believe you’re this tough, tattooed, hard rocker. If they find out you’re clean-cut and as gentle as a pussycat—”
“I’m hardly a pussycat.” He growled as he squeezed her tight.
She laughed. “You know what I mean. The real man is not the rock genius they know and love. You’re still a fabulous musician—I’d buy your album.” She grinned, and he laughed. “But you’ll be different. Would Harvey’s Territory fans be as accepting? Do you want to risk it?”
He stayed quiet for a moment, playing with a lock of her hair. She could see him weighing the decision in his mind. The struggle as to what to do was etched on his face.
“I’ll be okay,” she assured him. “The media will move onto something bigger and better in a few days. Surely there’ll be a Kardashian flashing her arse in another magazine soon.” She placed a feather-light kiss on his lips. “Keep the disguise.”
He nodded and drew her in for a deeper kiss. Then he dipped his head, pressing his mouth to her throat, and mumbled, “You smell so good.” His tongue licked her skin. “Taste even better.”
Her heart hammered in her chest. What was it about this man that made her body turn to putty in his hands, or in this case, lips? Whatever it was she wished she could bottle it and pull it out to enjoy when he left. No, she wouldn’t think about that. She was here with him now, enjoying the moment.
His hands swept down her arms and to the front of her shirt. He was quick to release the buttons, and in record time, her top was open and her chest exposed. Pushing the fabric from her shoulders, he cupped her breasts in his strong hands. His fingers stroked her raised nipples, and she shivered. His tongue replaced his hands, and the sensation nearly made her leap off his lap. This was torture of the best kind.
Straddling him, she dragged off his shirt, unbuttoned the fly of his jeans, and reached inside the soft denim only for his hand to clamp around her wrist.
